I've worked out or been otherwise active every day this week, but it's my eating that sealed the deal. That's been my main issue. I'm an active person in general, and while I did avoid the treadmill like the plague (or I guess in our day and age "The Rona!"), I've been outside most days doing rather physical work. My eating was the problem. I couldn't seem to get that under control. It was like I had an angel on one shoulder saying "You don't need to eat that", and a devil on the other saying "one time won't hurt". One time won't hurt, but a string of ones times will.
If anyone is wondering what plan I'm using, I've gone back to what I know and what worked for me, and is working for me now.
1. Real food, nothing diet, nothing artificially low or nonfat, no processed food. While I can and do have an occasional form of bread, the vast majority of my carb intake comes from fruits, veggies.and dairy. When I am having some type of bread item, it's limited, whole grain, and unprocessed.
2. Portion control. People turn off at this one usually. I've found the vast majority of folk want something where they can eat as much as they want with no calories to worry about. Well I do too! I want a Million dollars as well! Our bodies work very specifically. It is calories in, calories out. Doesn't matter what diet plan you're on, trust me, it's still calories in calories out. It's even more important for me because I have an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto Thyroiditis. Basically my immune system attacked my thyroid, so mine doesn't work anymore. I've been on meds for this for 30 years. Due to this, my metabolism is slower, and I need to keep my protein high normal and my carb level low normal. Spark people helps me do this because they break everything down so I can see what I ate in each category. So to be accurate, I have to weigh or otherwise measure what I eat. I guess it can be a bother, but I'm just used to it now.
3. Counting calories. Naturally this goes with portion control. This is my boundary line. I can choose to eat whatever I want, but I can't go past my boundary line. By the same token, I need to make sure I'm eating the minimum calories for my body to function. Too few calories and my body will hold onto weight to protect me from the famine we are obviously in. Nice body to protect me so.
4. Quality- I get more food, and am more satisfied when I choose quality foods; whole foods, fruits veggies, good fats ( and yes butter is a good fat), and unprocessed foods. 1200 calories of highly processed foods is void of the nutrients the body needs. It doesn't stay with you very long. It has a lot of filler, chemicals, etc that the body doesn't recognize. 1200 calories of quality foods has all your body needs, When the body has what it needs, it won't trigger you to eat. Yes, your body can do that. Weird cool! As a result, you're more satisfied. Whole fat dairy is way better than low or nonfat dairy. Great thing with whole fat dairy is I can eat less of it and fill in with a fruit or veggie.
5. Move. Gotta be active. I did get back on the treadmill. I will be on it this week too, but I will also be outside taking care of animals, the garden, digging, etc. I will be active, and I will do something structured. I will say, pick something you can live with.
Other tips I would give is to get a decent nights sleep, make sure your drinking water, and relish ( no pun intended) the victories no matter how small. Keep your eye on the prize. There are times when I won't lose, or will have a bad day. I will get up dust myself off and keep moving forward. Over a two year time span I put on 15 pounds. My old self would have added all 63 pounds back plus some, but this time I never totally gave up. I kept trying at least. I would much rather lose 15 pounds instead of 63.
So last week is a victory. Yay! Now to start on this week.and we'll see what happens! I would love to hear other success stories! Won't you share yours!?
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